Supporting spring cushion structure for a seat



2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

CAA/R 5. RA'A-'D A TTOR/VE'YS Dec. 3, 1963 c. s. REED SUPPORTING SPRINGCUSHION STRUCTURE FUR A SEAT Filed Nov. 27, 1962 SUPPORTING SPRINGCUSHION STRUCTURE PoR A SEAT Filed Nov. 2T, 1962 C. S. REED Dec. 3, 19632 Sheets-Sheet 2 Kim-'.111'.

United States Patent O Specialty Corporation, Warren, Mich., acorporation of Michigan Filed Nov. 27, 1962, Ser. No. 240,274 7 Claims.(Cl. 267-103) This invention relates generally to spring cushions, andrefers more particularly to an improved supporting spring cushionstructure for a seat.

One of the essential objects of the invention is to provide an improvedsupporting spring cushion structure of the type mentioned wherein asingle composite layer, embodying reinforcing load supporting heavygauge spring wires, serves as the sole supporting spring structure forthe seat and provides the desired cushioning effect.

Another object is to provide a supporting spring cushion structurewherein the single composite layer is provided throughout its lengthwith a preformed transversely curved upwardly arched concave-convex loadcarrying upper portion, and is provided throughout the length ofopposite longitudinal side edges of said concave-convex portion withopposed preformed downwardly andinwardly eX- tending portions forsupporting the concavo-convex upper portion.

Another object is to provide a supporting spring cushion structurewherein the downwardly and inwardly extending portions are attachable toa seat pan by means of suitable tongues or clips struck out from saidseat pan.

Another object is to provide a supporting spring cushion structure thatis simple in construction, economical to manufacture, and durable andeicient in use.

Other objects, advantages and novel details of construction of thisinvention will be made more apparent as this description proceeds,especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawingswherein:

FIGURE l is a fragmentary top plan view of a supporting spring cushionstructure for a seat, and showing portions of the single composite layerand anchoring wires broken away.

FIGURE 2 is a transverse sectional View taken substantially on the line2-2 of FIGURE l.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view through the pan andshowing one of the anchoring tongues or clips struck out from the pan toreceive an anchoring wire for the single composite layer.

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 but showing the tongue or clipbent over and embracing an anchoring wire for the single compositelayer.

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of the structure illustrated in FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of a slightly modifiedsupporting spring cushion structure for a seat, and showing portions ofthe single composite layer, anchoring wires, and border Wire brokenaway.

FIGURE 7 is a transverse sectional View taken substantially on the line7-7 of FIGURE 6.

Referring now to the drawings, A is an elongated substantiallyrectangular seat pan formed from sheet metal, and B is a strip formedfrom sheet metal, having portions 10 and 11 extending longitudinally ofthe seat pan adjacent the longitudinal edges thereof, having portions 12and 13 extending transversely of the seat pan adjacent the transverseedges thereof, and having curved portions 14, 15, 16 and 17 respectivelyadjacent the corners of the seat pan and extending endwise from thelongitudinally and transversely extending portions It), 11, 12 and 13.Preferably the strip B is provided throughout its length with an uprightweb 18 and is provided at the lower and upper edges of said web withoppositely extending latice eral flanges 19 and Ztl. The lower lateralange 19 is welded to the seat pan A While the upper lateral flange 2Gcooperates with the seat pan to provide an outwardly opening channel 21.Located within this channel 21 is a suitable ber tacking strip 22 thatis secured to the web 1S by any suitable means (not shown) The exteriortrim material (not shown) for the seat is secured to this tacking strip22. If desired, the seat pan A may be provided with transversely spacedlongitudinally extending depressed portions (not shown) forstrengthening purposes.

A supporting spring cushion C, substantially rectangular shape in topplan, is located upon the seat pan A within the area enclosed by thestrip B. Preferably this spring cushion C comprises a single compositelayer 24 that serves as the sole supporting spring structure for theseat and that provides the desired cushioning effect.

As shown, the single composite layer 24 of this spring cushion isprovided throughout its length with a preformed transversely curvedupwardly arched concavo-convex load carrying upper portion 25, and isprovided throughout the length of opposite longitudinal side edges ofsaid concavoconvex portion 25 with opposed preformed downwardly andinwardly extending open return bent portions 26 and 27 for supportingthe concavo-convex upper portion 25.

Such downwardly and inwardly extending open return bent portions 26 and27 are provided throughout their lower longitudinally extending edgeswith heavy gauge anchoring wires 2S and 29 that are secured to the seatpan A by means of longitudinally spaced inverted substantially C-shapedtongues or clips 30 that are struck out from the seat pan A and that arebent over the anchoring wires 28 and 29 to embrace the same.

In addition to the anchoring wires 23 and 29, the single composite layer24 of the spring cushion preferably comprises a longitudinally extendingsheet 31 of fabric, and longitudinally spaced load carrying reinforcingheavy gauge spring wires 32 threaded transversely through the sheet 31throughout its length and terminally connected to the anchoring wires 28and 29.

The sheet 31 of fabric may be burlap or any other suitable material. Thereinforcing wires 32 may be helical, spira-l, sinuous, undulated orstraight, as desired, and may be formed from any heavy gauge springmetal or other suitable material consistent with resiliency and thestrength required to serve as spring supports. Preferably, thereinforcing wires 32 may be eight, nine or ten gauge spring steel, andmay be approximately ls in diameter.

The anchoring wires 28 and 29 are preferably covered or wrapped 'withpaper 33 and may be any desired shape in cross section and of any heavygauge steel to provide the proper strength. Preferably, 4he anchoringwires 25 and 29 may be eight, nine or ten gauge spring steel, and may beapproximately li" in diameter.

In use, the single composite layer 24 serves as a supporting cushion forthe seat upholstery (not shown) such as the usual cotton layer, spongerubber layer, and exterior trim of a seat, and such exterior trim may besecured by any suitable means (not shown) to the fiber racking strip 22in the outwardly opening channel 21.

-In FIGURES 6 and 7, l have shown a slight modification |wherein asupporting spring cushion D substantially rectangular shape in -topplan, is placed upon a seat pan E corresponding in construction to theseat pan A, and is located within the area enclosed by a strip Fcorresponding in construction to the strip B. Preferably this springcushion D comprises a single Acomposite layer 41 that serves as the solesupporting spring structure for the seat and that provides the desiredcushioning eiect.

As shown, the single composite `layer 41 of this spring cushion isprovided throughout its length with a preformed transversely curvedupwardly arched concavo-convex load carrying upper portion 42, and isprovided throughout the lv length of opposite longitudinal side edges ofsaid concavoconvex portion `42 with opposed preformed downwardly andinwardly extending outwardly opening substantially V-shaped portions '43and 44 for supporting the concavoconvex upper portion 42.

The lower sections 45 and 46 of the outwardly opening substantiallyV-shaped portions 43 and 44 are horizontal and are provided throughouttheir outer ,longitudinally extending edges with heavy gauge anchoringwires 47 and 48 that are secured to the seat pan E Iby means oflongitudinally spaced inverted substantially C-shaped tongues or clips49 that are struck out from the seat pan E and that are bent over theanchoring wires 47 and 48 to embrace the same.

In addition to the anchoring wires 47 and 48, the single composite layer41 of the spring cushion preferably comprises a longitudinally extendingsheet of fabric, longitudinally spaced load carrying heavy gauge sinuousreinforcing spring wires 51 threaded transversely through the sheet 50throughout its length and terminally connected to the anchoring wires 47and 48, and a horizontally extending tborder wire 52 at the outer sideedges of the concave-convex portion 42 and secured by hog rings 53 tothe transversely extending sinuous reinforcing wires 5l.

The sheet 50 of fabric may be burlap or any other suitable material. Thesinuous reinforcing wires 5l may be formed from any heavy gauge springmetal or other suitable material consistent with resiliency and thestrength required to serve as spring supports. The anchoring wires 47and 48 are preferably covered or wrapped with paper 55 and may be anydesired shape in cross section and o-f `any heavy gauge steel to providethe proper strength. The border wire 52 may be any suitable gauge springsteel and any desired shape in cross section, and is preferably coveredor wrapped with paper 56. Preferably, the anchoring wires 47 and 48 andthe reinforcing wires 51 maybe eight, nine or ten gauge spring steel,and may be approximately 14 in diameter.

In use, the single composite layer 41 serves as a supporting cushion forthe seat upholstery (not shown) such as the lusual cotton layer, spongerubber layer, and exterior trim material for the seat, and such exteriortrim material may extend over the border wire 52 and may be secured ybyany suitable means (not shown) to the fiber tacking strip 57 in theoutwardly opening channel 53 formed `by the strip F and the seat pan E.

What I claim as my invention is:

`l. In combination, an elongated seat pan, a single elongated compositelayer embodying reinforcing load supporting heavy gauge spring wires andextending lengthwise of said seat pan, said composite layer beingprovided throughout its length with a preformed transversely curvedupwardly arched concave-convex load carrying upper portion and providedthroughout the length of opposite longitudinal side edges of saidconcavo-convex portion with opposed preformed downwardly and inwardlyextending open return bent portions for supporting the concavo-convexupper portion, said downwardly and inwardly extending open return bentportions being provided throughout their lower longitudinally extendingedges with heavy gauge anchoring wires, and means securing saidanchoring wires to said seat pan including longitudinally spacedsubstantially C-shaped tongues struck out from the seat pan and bentover said anchoring wires to embrace the same.

2. In combination, an elongated seat pan, a single elongated compositelayer embodying reinforcing load supporting heavy gauge spring wires andextending lengthwise of saidy seat pan, said composite layer beingprovided throughout its length with a preformed transversely curvedupwardly arched concavo-convex load carrying upper portion and providedthroughout the length of opposite longitudinal side edges of `saidconcavo-convex portion with opposed preformed downwardly and inwardlyextending outwardly opening substantially V- shaped portions forsupporting the concavo-convex upper portion, the lower sections of saidoutwardly opening substantially V-shaped portions being horizontal andbeing provided throughout their outer longitudinally extending edgeswith heavy gauge anchoring wires, and means securing said anchoringwires to said seat pan including longitudinally spaced substantiallyC-shaped tongues struck out from the seat pan and bent over saidanchoring wires to embrace the same.

3. In combination, an elongated seat pan, a single elongated compositelayer extending lengthwise of said seat pan, said composite layer beingprovided throughout its length with a preformed transversely curvedupwardly arched concavo-convex load carrying upper portion and providedthroughout the length of opposite longitudinal side edges of saidconcavo-convex portion with opposed preformed downwardly and inwardlyextending open return bent portions for supporting the concavo-convexupper portion, said downwardly and inwardly extending open return bentportions being provided throughout their lower longitudinally extendingedges with heavy gauge anchoring wires, said single composite layercomprising a longitudinally extending sheet of fabric and longitudinallyspaced load carrying reinforcing heavy gauge spring wires threadedtransversely through said sheet throughout its length and terminallyconnected to said heavy gauge anchoring wires, and means securing saidanchoring wires to said seat pan including longitudinally spacedsubstantially C-shaped tongues struck out from the seat pan and bentover said anchoring wires to embrace the same.

4. In combination, an elongated seat pan, a single elongated compositelayer extending lengthwise of said seat pan, said composite layer beingprovided throughout its length lwith a preformed transversely curvedupwardly arched concavo-convex load carrying upper portion and providedthroughout the length of opposite longitudinal side edges of saidconcavo-convex portion with opposed preformed downwardly and inwardlyextending outwardly opening substantially V-shaped por-tions forsupporting the concavo-convex upper portion, the lower sections of saidoutwardly opening substantially V-shaped portions being horizontal :andbeing provided throughout their outer longitudinally extending edgeswith heavy gauge anchoring wires, said single composite layer comprisinga longitudinally extending sheet of fabric, longitudinally spaced loadcarrying sinuous reinforcing heavy gauge spring wires threadedtransversely through said sheet throughout its length and terminallyconnected to said heavy gauge anchoring wires, and a horizontallyextending border wire at the outer side edges of the concavoconvexportion and secured to the transversely extending sinuous heavy gaugereinforcing wires, and means securing said anchoring wires to said seatpan including longitudinally spaced substantially C-shaped tonguesstruck out from the seat pan and bent over said anchoring wires toembrace the same.

5. In combination, an elongated substantially rectangular seat pan, asheet metal strip having portions secured to and extendinglongitudinally of the seat pan adjacent the longitudinal edges thereof,having portions secured to and extending transversely of the seat panadjacent the transverse edges thereof, and having curved portionssecured to said seat pan adjacent the corners thereof and extendingendwise from the longitudinally and transversely extending portionsaforesaid, an elongated spring cushion located upon the seat pan withinthe area enclosed by said strip, said spring cushion comprising a singleelongated composite layer embodying reinforcing load supporting heavygauge spring wires, said composite layer being provided throughout itslength with a preformed transversely curved upwardly archedconcavoconvex load carrying upper portion and being provided throughoutthe length of opposite longitudinal side edges ot' said concavo-convexportion with opposed preformed downwardly and inwardly extending openreturn bent portions for supporting the concavo-convex upper portion,said downwardly and inwardly extending open return bent portions beingprovided throughout their lower longitudinally extending edges withheavy gauge anchoring wires, and means securing said anchoring wires tosaid seat pan including longitudinally spaced substantially C- shapedtongues struck out from the seat pan and bent over said anchoring wiresto embrace the same.

6. In combination, an elongated substantially rectangular seat pan, asheet metal strip having portions secured to and extendinglongitudinally of the seat pan adjacent the longitudinal edges thereof,having portions secured to and extending transversely of the seat panadjacent the transverse edges thereof, and having curved portionssecured to said seat pan adjacent the corners thereof and extendingendwise from the longitudinally and transversely extending portionsaforesaid, an elongated spring cushion located upon the seat pan withinthe area enclosed by said strip, said spring cushion comprising a singleelongated composite layer embodying reinforcing load supporting heavygauge spring wires, said composite layer being provided throughout itslength with a preformed transversely curved upwardly archedconcavoconvex load carrying upper portion and being provided throughoutthe length of opposite longitudinal side edges of said concavo-convexportion with opposed preformed downwardly and inwardly extendingoutwardly opening substantially V-shaped portions for supporting theconcavo-convex upper portion, the lower sections of said outwardlyopening substantially V-shaped portions being horizontal and beingprovided throughout their outer longitudinally extending edges withheavy gauge anchoring wires, and means securing said anchoring wires tosaid seat pan including longitudinally spaced substantially C- shapedtongues struck out from the seat pan and bent over said anchoring wiresto embrace the same.

7. In combination, an elongated substantially rectangular seat pan, anelongated sheet metal strip having portions extending longitudinally ofthe seat pan adjacent the longitudinal edges thereof, having portionsextending transversely of the seat pan adjacent the transverse edgesthereof, and having curved portions adjacent the corners of said seatpan and extending endwise from the longitudinally and transverselyextending portions aforesaid, said elongated strip being providedthroughout its length with an upright web and provided at the lower andupper edges of said web with oppositely extending lateral flanges, thelower lateral lianges being welded to said seat pan, the upper lateralflanges cooperating with said seat pan to provide an outwardly openingchannel, an elongated spring cushion located upon the seat pan withinthe area enclosed by said elongated strip, said spring cushioncornprising a .single elongated composite layer embodying reinforcingload supporting heavy gauge spring wires, said composite layer beingprovided throughout its length with a preformed transversely curvedupwardly arched concavo-convex load carrying upper portion and beingprovided throughout the length of opposite longitudinal side edges ofsaid concavo-convex portion with opposed preformed downwardly andinwardly extending portions for supporting the concavo-convex upperportion, said downwardly and inwardly extending portions being providedthroughout their length With heavy gauge anchoring wires, a tackingstrip for trim material for the spring cushion located within saidoutwardly opening channel and secured to said upright web, and meanssecuring said anchoring wires to .said seat pan including longitudinallyspaced substantially C-shaped tongues struck out from the seat pan andbent over said anchoring wires to ernbrace the same.

References (Cited in the tile of this patent

1. IN COMBINATION, AN ELONGATED SEAT PAN, A SINGLE ELONGATED COMPOSITELAYER EMBODYING REINFORCING LOAD SUPPORTING HEAVY GAUGE SPRING WIRES ANDEXTENDING LENGTHWISE OF SAID SEAT PAN, SAID COMPOSITE LAYER BEINGPROVIDED THROUGHOUT ITS LENGTH WITH A PREFORMED TRANVERSELY CURVEDUPWARDLY ARCHED CONCAVO-CONVEX LOAD CARRYING UPPER PORTION AND PROVIDEDTHROUGHOUT THE LENGTH OF OPPOSITE LONGITUDINAL SIDE EDGES OF SAIDCONCAVO-CONVEX PORTION WITH OPPOSED PREFORMED DOWNWARDLY AND INWARDLYEXTENDING OPEN RETURN BENT PORTIONS FOR SUPPORTING THE CON-